My check engine light comes on every now and then and I get the Code for the catalyic converter. I want a turbo soon...so should I wait or go ahead and get some reasonable headers until.

....Undecided.....96 honda civic

 

no, just get the turbo sooner. cheap headers arnt worth it.

 

no, dont waste your money and headers dont make a HUGE difference like turbo will so it aint worth it.

 

well, headers are only 1/10th the price of a turbo... its really hard to make a fair comparison on the power gains. Headers can give you probably (conservatively) 4-5hp at the wheels. Using the 10 to 1 ratio that means it is 40-50hp gain. Which means, per dollar, you are getting close to the same thing.

But, it does seem like a waste of money to buy headers if ur gonna put in a turbo...

 

Huh?? What?? I dont get it. Why is turbo cheaper than header????

 

most dyno tests ive seen give closer to 1-3 hp, esp on sohc motors. and thats with a quality header. and a turbo can give those motors closer to 60-80 hp.

 

If you buy a header and then turbo your car you're going to have to replace the header with a header that fits directly onto the turbo... so it'd be a waste of money, not necessarily cheaper.

 

this 1-3 totally depends on many factors. I have seen dyno tests for headers that produced 7-8hp gains. This also dpends on whether you have any other restrictions in your system. For example, if you've got an air intake, high flow cat, and exhaust, your headers will produce more power gains. Stick your stock headers back onto a car with the above mods done, and you will probably see a drop of the 7-8hp.

As for turbos, it really is hard to say how much you can get since there are so many options. 60-80hp on a turbo is easy but that also means more money. A basic/cheap/small turbo will not probably not give you a 60-80hp gain (Im talking at the wheels).

 

First of all, its header not headers. Theres only one header on an L4 engine. Second of all, if you are going to get a turbo, don't waste your money on a header because you will just have to get rid of it. Also, a turbo can add a LOT more than 60 - 80 HP depending on the quality of the turbo setup and the tuning of the kit.

 

I've seen somebody in other thread mention that you can use an adapter plate on a header to fit a turbo.